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I’ve learned through studying the history of Relief Society that we have and live with an inseparable connection to the priesthood. The Prophet Joseph Smith put the sisters in the position to receive all the gifts, blessings, and privileges of the priesthood. We need never confuse the idea of those who hold the priesthood in trust, with the priesthood. The priesthood is God’s power. It is His power to create, to bless, to lead, to serve as He does. The priesthood duty of every righteous man is to qualify for the blessing of holding that priesthood and trust for the Lord so that he can bless his family and those around him. And I will say the priesthood duty of sisters is to create life, to nurture it, to prepare it for covenants of the Lord. Don’t confuse the power with the keys and the offices of the priesthood. God’s power is limitless and it is shared with those who make and keep covenants. Too much is said and misunderstood about what the brothers have and the sisters don’t have. This is Satan’s way of confusing both men and women so neither understands what they really have. Sisters and brothers each have every ordinance, every gift, and every blessing available to them to get back to our Father in Heaven, and no one, male or female, is left outside of those blessings to qualify for exaltation. There is a unity in the council and the covenant that is required us to get there. Neither the man nor the woman can ascend without the other. We are inseparably connected in that way. And I understand how special women are. I understand how special men are. And together we’re more special. We become what the Lord wants us to become.
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Speaking of meeting this little one… I know that there are some of you who are interest in what our birth plans are going to be. As of right now we are planning to have this baby at home with a certified and licensed midwife. We’ve had both of our other two at home (you can read their birth stories here and here) and the experiences have been really wonderful.
With every pregnancy my husband and I always put a lot of prayer and fasting into which care provider to see and where to give birth. Initially we both thought that I might be having this baby at the hospital because my first trimester was a little rough. Yet things are looking really good and both my doctor and my midwife consider me low-risk. Granted, birth plans can always change but as my husband and I have prayed about this child we feel a lot of peace about welcoming him/her into our home in the same way we have the others. I am just hoping that this one doesn’t come as fast as Rose did. Her labor was only 3 hours from my first contraction to holding her in my arms and WOW was it a roller coaster ride! Fast labors are much more intense and I couldn’t relax or cope with the contractions like I had been able to with Asher (his labor was about 10 hours)– I just had to bellow my way through it and it was hard. I’m thinking a 5 or 6 hour labor would be just about right, not too long and not too fast. Are you hearing that little one? I know you have your own plans but if it is at all possible…
You are cordially invited to attend my Usborne Book e-party this week and enter for a chance to win $50 in free books! If you haven’t seen the Usborne books before they are really a treat. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their non-fiction books. I am especially excited about their books on world religions and history for young kids. It is so hard to find good resources to teach those topics to children and these books are beautiful… and not too expensive. I spent hours drooling over their catalog… my wish list is pretty long!
If this is something you might be interested in– or if you were going to order books from Usborne anyway– PLEASE go and check out my e-party. The more people who buy books through my party the more free books I get. I know, this really is a selfish invitation…. but there is always the chance you might win the $50 in free books!
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Now it is your turn! Below is a linky list if you’d like to add a link to your own Five Things for Friday post. (1) Make sure the link you submit is to the URL of your post and not your main blog (2) Include a link back here.
Heather, you are so wonderful! I just LOVE your blog.
I wanted to comment on two things: first of all, you really gave me a boost with what you wrote about Rose's birth. Rachel's was so fast as well (also three hours) and I never caught my breath, either. I've always been a little disappointed in myself that I didn't "handle" it better. But you just made like maybe I did okay after all. 🙂
Secondly, I loved what you wrote about loving and accepting this child for who he/she is regardless of gender. What a neat experience. When I was pregnant with Rachel I was convinced she would be a special needs child. I just had a feeling that that was in my future. It was a bit of a struggle, but I ultimately was able to accept it. I was totally surprised when she appeared completely healthy. And now, six months later, it is my son who is the one with special needs. I can really see how the spirit worked in my life to prepare me for this. It is still hard…I still have moments where I struggle, but it's true, I love him just the same!
Sorry this is long…you just keep pushing my buttons lately! (In a good way).
I've already posted my Friday post, so I won't do a link up. I absolutely adore Sister Beck — I've really appreciated all of the teaching that has been done lately about the relationship with the Priesthood and the Relief Society. The question/answer sessions that she's started on Mormon Channel is also so helpful. Thanks for the heads up on this talk.
We are not finding out the gender our third baby, either (also out with previous 2). I am really looking forward to the moment of the birth when we can announce "It's a…!" I think it will be an amazing moment. This is our first homebirth and I have felt a lot of peace about the decision, but lately I've been reading some stuff on the internet that has me questioning. Your post reminded me where I need to look for reassurance, thanks!
I had my last several babies at home after 2 C-sections, but never had a fast or easy birth. The shortest was 21 hours the longest 73. Big babies/little mama.
I love that part you put in bold from Sis. Beck, of course!!! 🙂 Love you!